During Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 A.D., Pompeii and Herculaneum in today’s Italy were preserved as they were on the day of their destruction. Particularly at Herculaneum, furnishings were carbonized beneath volcanic ash. This was pivotal to understanding how Classical Roman furniture was designed. Archaeological investigations and printed reproductions of discoveries would influence styles evoking this ancient civilization, from the Renaissance to neoclassicism.
While knowledge of Classical Roman furniture comes from rare surviving pieces, it is also derived from frescoes and sculptures portraying Roman life. Much of Roman art, architecture and design was informed by Greece — Roman architect, military engineer and writer Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, whose timeless De architectura is taught in contemporary architecture classes and pays tribute to classical architecture, visited Greece while working under Julius Caesar and admired the country’s architectural developments. The Roman solium references the Greek thronos, a stately chair of honor with an upright form and footstool. As the Roman Empire spread across Europe and into North Africa and Western Asia, the expansion of trade for silver, silk, marble and wood allowed for more luxurious designs.
Classical Roman furniture was made from bronze, wood and stone — in particular, marble — with ornate touches like tortoiseshell veneers, bone and glass inlays and claw feet. Ornaments depicting lion heads and mythological figures were sculpted from silver, bronze and ivory. Compared to the decorative attention given to the mosaic floors and wall paintings, however, furniture for even a wealthy house was minimal. It focused on the necessities for guests arriving for both socializing and business and the rooms housing family, relatives and enslaved people.
The triclinium dining room had banquet couches, items so prized they were sometimes interred with the deceased. Tall bronze or terracotta candelabras held oil lamps for lighting. Carved marble tables reflected status, while the lararium home shrine demonstrated faith.
Find a collection of Classical Roman decorative objects, tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Art Deco black leather 2.5-seater design sofa with beautiful woodwork
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This stunning Art Deco 2.5-seater sofa is from the renowned Dutch brand Schuitema, known for its quality and distinctive designs. This piece comes from the Decoforma series and featu...
Cowhide, Leather, Wood
Sofa Settee 3-Seater Crimson Cut Velvet Italian Toni Facella Sensi Della Penna
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
An opulent, cut-velvet, three seater sofa, by Italian architect & designer Toni Facella Sensi della Penna This sofa epitomises elegance, opulence and com...
Velvet
Classic cowhide Chesterfield sofa in English style with red/brown colours
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This Chesterfield sofa in English style is made of genuine cowhide leather and can be easily placed in almost any interior. It has a beautiful red-brown color and is a true eye-catch...
Cowhide, Leather
Set consisting of a English cowhide Chesterfieldsofa and matching armchair
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This amazing set, consisting of a cowhide Chesterfield sofa and an armchair, is a stunning eye-catcher in almost any interior thanks to its beautiful red colour. They feature loose s...
Cowhide, Leather
English cowhide Chesterfield 2.5-seater sofa in a stunning red colour
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This amazing English cowhide Chesterfield 2.5-seater sofa, thanks to its beautiful red colour, is a stunning eye-catcher in almost any interior. It features a loose seat cushion and ...
Cowhide, Leather
$1,681Sale Price|22% Off
Antique Italian Cherrywood Sofa
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Cherry wood center sofa, early '900.
Cherry
Red 2.5-seater Chesterfield sofa on wheels in English style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This beautiful 2.5-seater Chesterfield sofa in English style, upholstered in genuine cowhide leather, has a distinctive character and a timeless appearance. Its deep red color makes ...
Cowhide, Leather
Art Deco Schuitema 2.5-Seater Leather Sofa, Hand-Crafted Dutch Design
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this Art Deco Schuitema 2.5-seater leather designer sofa from the Decoforma series, featuring unique woodwork. This stunning Art Deco sofa is made by the top Dutch br...
Leather, Wood
$8,407 / set
H 43.31 in W 71.66 in D 29.53 in
Seating Set of Baroque Sofa and Two Armchairs, Budapest, 1870s
Located in Budapest, HU
Beautiful baroque seating set consisting of a sofa and two armchairs. Extraordinary workmanship of the woods made according to the canons of the ti...
Velvet, Wood
$9,807 / set
H 37.41 in W 83.47 in D 33.47 in
Set of 3 Vintage Sofa and Armchairs by Pierre Guariche from Airborne, 1960s
Located in Andrézieux-Bouthéon, FR
Set of 3 Vintage Sofa and Armchairs by Pierre Guariche from Airborne, 1960s Vintage Design A living room set including a sofa and two design armchairs from the 1960s by Pierre Guari...
Fabric
$5,419
H 31.5 in W 70.87 in D 39.38 in
Ralph Lauren "Brompton" 2.5-Seat Chesterfield Sofa - In Brown Leather & Velvet
Located in Barrowford, GB
On offer on this occasion is the rare opportunity to acquire a superb, handsome Ralph Lauren 2.5-Seat "Brompton" Chesterfield-Sofa, dressed in a sensationally refined, elegant and lu...
Leather
$13,898
H 27.96 in W 102.37 in D 41.93 in
George Smith "Early Victorian Chesterfield " Sofa - In Brown Leather
Located in Barrowford, GB
On offer on this occasion is the most spectacular, huge George Smith "Early Victorian Chesterfield" Buttoned Sofa dressed in their breathtaking, peerless top-grade antiqued-leather i...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Curved Sofa, 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Curved four-seat sofa of Italian design, structure and legs in solid wood, velvet upholstery, 1950s production, Condition as shown in the photos, it is advisable to redo the upholstery.
Velvet, Beech, Fir
Guglielmo Ulrich Art Deco Italian Velvet Sofa, 1940s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
A large Italian sculptural sofa designed by Guglielmo Ulrich, very comfortable. Recently upholstered in light blue velvet with a light gray velvet border, in a minimalist way, which ...
Velvet, Beech
$3,875
H 30 in W 88 in D 30 in
Vintage English Chesterfield Leather Tufted Sofa Oxblood Red Mid Century
Located in Tyler, TX
TIMELESS Vintage English Leather Tufted Seat CHESTERFIELD 4-Seat Sofa Oxblood Red PERFECT ICONIC look for a gentleman's office, study, library, or cigar lounge~~upholstery is "oxblo...
Leather
Custom Classic Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
We offer an extensive collection and a fully customizable Chesterfield sofa program, made in America and produced within 8 weeks. Every element is customizable, from the leather or f...
Leather
$2,450Sale Price|30% Off
H 32 in W 77 in D 32 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Beautiful Black Leather 3 Seat Sofa Wood Legs
By Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik, Børge Mogensen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern beautiful Black leather 3 seat sofa dark wood legs. Style of Børge Mogensen. Beautiful Black leather is soft and shows little signs of use but broken in nic...
Leather, Birch
$11,030
H 29.93 in W 85.83 in D 35.63 in
1950's Hand Dyed Restored Cigar Brown Leather Chesterfield Club Sofa English
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this original 1950’s cigar brown leather Chesterfield club sofa in lightly restored condition with fully buttoned base and solid walnut turned feet...
Leather, Beech, Oak
$5,308
H 31.5 in W 80.71 in D 41.34 in
RESTORED HAND DYED LEATHER 2.5 SEATER CHESTERFiELD TETRAD OSCAR SOFA
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London This restored 2.5 seater Chesterfield sofa is the celebrated Oscar model by Tetrad, a design that reinterprets the traditional Chesterfield with a more relaxed, ...
Leather
Vintage Style Classic Chesterfield Sofa, Cuban Cigar
Located in Westwood, NJ
A vintage-style classic English Chesterfield leather upholstered sofa, with top-grain leather in a vintage Cuban cigar color. With tufted backrest and rollo...
Leather, Wood
Comfortable vintage sheepskin 2.5-seater club sofa
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This fantastic sheepskin sofa has a great vintage look and beautiful warm colours. It can be easily placed in almost any interior. Not only in a home environment, but also in, for ex...
Leather, Sheepskin
An Italian Walnut Classical Sofa
Located in New York, NY
An Italian walnut Classical sofa with hand-carved frame, the triple arched back and seat upholstered in 18th Century needlework with detailed petit-point depicting the celebration of...
Walnut